Blending the beauty of poetry with fashion, WeaverStory kickstarted the year with a collection called Ghazal. Describing the range as a “celebration of grace, creativity and the quiet strength of a poet’s world,” CEO and founder of the apparel brand Nishant Malhotra says he was inspired by the bond between poets and their muse. He wanted to capture the “essence of their artistry, love and heritage”. Ghazal features kurtas and Anarkali suits for women, and kurta sets and dhotis for men in fabrics such as Chanderi and cotton tissue with intricate embroidery.
An outfit from Ghazal | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Nishant, 47, explains, the women’s range, “we kept the handwork minimal, but impactful. Delicate zardozi, nakshi, aari, and sequin work adds just the right amount of glamour. The silhouettes are feminine, with dreamy floral motifs gracefully wrapping the garments”. “We selected fabrics like cotton tissue, Chanderi, organza, and zari-striped Chanderi as they are light, breathable and have a subtle shimmer, perfect for year-round wear.” However, merging zardozi embroidery with Chanderi was a challenge given the fabric’s delicate nature. “The key was to ensure that the embroidery enhanced the fabric’s lightness, rather than overwhelm it. While some pieces went through multiple revisions, every garment in the final collection was carefully crafted to be a true work of art,” adds Nishant.
Blue hand E=embroidered Chiniya silk kurta with cotton pants | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
As for menswear, he says the straight kurtas, angarkhas, bandhgalas, Nehru jackets, and dhoti-style bottoms have been designed in traditional fabrics like moonga silk , tussar and Chanderi. “These fabrics are ideal for both formal and festive occasions,” says Nishant, whose earlier collections — Makhmal (velvet-based apparel) and Pashmina (hand-embroidered shawls) — also relied deeply on textures. “These collections were all about warmth and depth, evoking the rich, velvety textures of winter with luxurious Pashmina wool and makhmal fabrics. In contrast, Ghazal takes a lighter direction, celebrating the elegance of spring and summer.”
Now working on the summer collection themed on minimalism, Nishant says the focus is on clean lines and timeless pieces “that can transition seamlessly from formal to casual settings”. “We are exploring rare techniques and fabric treatments such as gota patti and chikankari that will introduce new textures and refine the tailoring to a level of unparalleled luxury,” he shares. The men’s range will comprise kurtas, shirts, etc. in summer hues such as tangerine, rose pink, lilac, etc. and the women’s line will feature salwar suits, saris, and more.
A pashmina shawl | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Another upcoming launch is a limited-edition collection to celebrate the brand’s 10th anniversary in August. “We are experimenting with innovative fabric textures and hand-finished details such as phulkari on khadi, and Paithani on zari to create distinctive pieces. It will be a tribute to our journey and the evolution of craftsmanship over the years,” concludes Nishant.
Details on weaverstory.com
Published - February 06, 2025 04:01 pm IST
